Finally Home

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again, and receive

you unto Myself; that were I am,

there ye may be also. -John 14:3

Jan and Hendrikje Kasper sailed into United States waters

in January 1957. Their family of 12, along with other Dutch

immigrants on board the Grote Beer, crowded on deck to

catch their first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty in New

York Harbor.

That inital view of Lady Liberty was exciting-and emotional.

They had just endured and arduous 11-day journey across

the sea on a no-frills voyage. They had left may friends and

family members behind in The Netherlands. They had

experienced rough seas brought on by a hurricane and had dealt

with seemingly endless seasickness. But now-finally-they had

arrived. This would become their new home.

Someday, those of us who have trusted Jesus Christ as our

personal Savior will leave this life and go to the place He has

prepared for us (John 14:3). The journey may be difficult or

uncomfortable, but we certainly look forward to the final destination.

Composer Don Wyrtzen wrote the music for a wonderful song

that pictures our earthly life as a "tempestuous sea." It ends

with these words:

Just think of stepping on shore-and finding it heaven!

Of touching a hand-and finding it God's!

Of breathing new air-and finding it celestial!

Of waking up in glory-and finding it home!

When we see Jesus face to face for the first time- we will be "finally home."

-Cindy Hess Kasper

Those who love and serve God on earth

will be right at home in heaven.